September 8, 2014
Province Announces New Media Production Studio, Major Upgrades to Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre
– – –New Investments will Create even more Opportunities to Train for In-demand Jobs
Students in south Winnipeg will soon have new ways to learn and develop skills in the media industry and the skilled trades, Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum said today as he announced new provincial support for the Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre to expand its courses and become home to modern training facilities in broadcast and online media, and plumbing.
“By giving students more options for skills training for in-demand jobs, we’re helping to pave the way for exciting career opportunities in our growing economy,” said Minister Allum. “Parents want to know that their kids are getting the education they need to take advantage of the great things happening in Manitoba.”
The new broadcast and media training program will respond to the growing demand for online, media and high-tech jobs in Manitoba, the minister said, adding it will include a cutting-edge production facility and is expected to accommodate 50 students per year. Students will soon be able to train on the same kind of modern equipment used in today’s media industry.
The province is providing close to $1 million in new funding to upgrade and outfit space at the school for the two new programs.
Minister Allum said the new plumbing program will help students develop the skills they need to go on to more advanced training programs and to find good jobs here in Manitoba. Current high-school students will be able to earn credits while getting started on a high-demand trades career. The Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre’s plumbing program will accommodate 40 students per year, and fill an existing need for both industry and training institutions, he added.
“Plumbing and broadcast media are natural fits to complement the programs we already offer and will be excellent options for future students,” said Brian Cameron, principal, Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre. “We’re very excited about expanding our programs to include these two engaging and in-demand vocational areas, and we look forward to continuing to serve the needs of our community.”
The Manitoba government has launched a comprehensive skills strategy with targeted investments into schools to provide students with access to state-of-the-art equipment that will create a pathway to post-secondary education and good jobs, the minister said. This includes:
- a new, $30-million Skill Build Shops fund to build and expand trades and skills shops in high schools across the province;
- a new, $1-million career development fund to ensure students leave high school with a good idea of where they want to go and how to get there, whether it is through a university, college, work placements or on-the-job training and apprenticeship; and
- a new, $1-million Skill Build Equipment fund to upgrade classrooms to an apprenticeship accredited level and bring welding, electrical, carpentry and culinary arts equipment into schools across Manitoba.
“These new programs will help to build our province’s economy by giving students the education and skills they need to get good, in-demand jobs right here in Manitoba,” said Minister Allum.
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